When asked at his media briefing on Wednesday morning if he could see Mourinho turning up at Old Trafford, Wenger said: “I do not want to go in a world of speculation. I personally have a huge respect for Louis van Gaal and I think what is going on there is disrespectful.

“This guy has worked for 30 years in football and has delivered unbelievable quality of work. Of course he deserves more time.

“I think a lot has been made on that (Mourinho’s departure), and I do not need to add anything.

Close ally: Wenger has leaped to the defence of Van Gaal after Mourinho link

“I do not want anyone to lose their job, my personal feelings on that front is that it is always sad when someone loses their job.”

“Personally I don’t like the fact that the managers come out so early for what they will do, because it’s not necessarily good for their own team, nor for the speculation about the managers who are going through a little bit of a difficult patch,” the Frenchman said.